Today I made a "to-do" list of people who have contacted me or I have committed to do something for. The idea for this list came to mind when I was feeling guilty over a commitment I made several weeks ago that I was unable to keep.

I wasn't really being neglectful -- several important things came up. I was battling a sinus issue that left me fatigued and I had some work obligations. Then one of my adult sons needed my medical expertise to fill out some important paperwork.

I also had some unexpected insurance business to research and handle in order to develop a plan for my best interest. And my best friend of 30-some years and her husband were experiencing some serious health problems, and I was trying to be supportive.

One day, as I was taking a break to pray, I noticed unfulfilled commitments starting to flood my mind. At first I thought this was a distraction, but the more I tried to push the thoughts away I started feeling it was God leading me to follow up with what I could.

God keeps his commitments to us and wants us to keep ours too. Commitment is something lacking in this day and age, but God's principles never change.

Commitment keeps us from living a sloppy lifestyle. People can trust us when we follow through with our word. Marriages survive and can thrive when people stay true to their commitment.

Sticking to our word shows we have consideration for others and is a sign of good character.

There are times that we must break a commitment. The unexpected happens and we are stretched far beyond our capabilities. In that case, at least a brief explanation can help promote trust.

Staying watchful of the amount of things we commit to is another way of being able to keep our list under control. Praying first and being careful what we promise others can keep our schedule doable and our relationships healthy.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. She is available for speaking to groups, church or civic events.

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the X in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.